Cash-strapped zoo officials told a New York City Council committee Thursday that they need to send away deer, bats, foxes, antelopes and other creatures to zoos around the country.

Officials say they're also closing four exhibits to close a $15 million budget shortfall.

The 114-year-old institution is the country's largest city zoo. More than 2 million people visited last year.

The exhibits that are closing include World of Darkness, which includes bats, porcupines and primates including night monkeys. Three other exhibits that are home to antelope, deer and a South American relative of the llama are also going away.